Athletic garment with integral cup assembly

ABSTRACT

An athletic garment generally includes a short member, a supporter, and a plurality of straps. The short member may include a front panel, rear panel, two side panels, and a waistband. The supporter is dimensioned to releasably receive an athletic protective cup. The straps are coupled to one end of the supporter and are attached to the opposing rear panel of the short member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/551,881, now allowed, filed Jul. 18, 2012, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/357,955, nowallowed, filed Jan. 25, 2012, which claims the benefit of the filingdate of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/479,566, filed Apr.27, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to athletic garments and, moreparticularly, to an athletic garment with an integral cup or cupassembly for holding an athletic protective device.

In many athletic events, players may suffer injuries in their groinregions as a consequence of impacts to that region. To avoid, or atleast minimize injuries in the male groin region, players use differenttypes of protective devices, such as athletic protective cups. Athleticprotective cups are typically used in many contact, sports, such asfootball, baseball, hockey, soccer and the like. Protective cups,however, are also used in non-athletic events where the users aresusceptible to impacts to the groin region.

Protective cups should be secured against the user's body to protect thegroin region from impact. Several apparatus and devices have beendeveloped over the years to secure a protective cup over a male'sgenitals. For instance, athletes sometimes use jockstraps to hold aprotective cup in place. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,400 describes an example ofa jockstrap. This jockstrap includes a waistband, multiple strapsattached to the waistband, and a pouch for holding the protective cup.The pouch is attached to the waistband and to all the straps. The strapsare specifically attached to the back portion of the waistband. Whilethe type of jockstrap disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,400 can secure aprotective cup over the user's groin region, it can be confusing anddifficult to put on due to the multiple straps. In order to wear thejockstrap, the user must place his legs through specific straps.However, the user may easily put his legs through the incorrect straps.If the jockstrap is not worn properly, the protective cup may move outof its proper position, leaving the user unprotected from blows to thegroin. In addition, the straps of the jockstrap may stretch due toregular wear and tear, becoming incapable of holding the protective cupin the proper position.

Instead of a jockstrap, athletes may use a jock short or brief to securea protective cup against their bodies. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,793 and5,819,323 describe jock shorts or briefs capable of holding a protectivecup and made of a stretchable fabric, such as the polyurethane-polyureacopolymer fabric, sold under the trademark LYCRA® by Invista NorthAmerica S.A.R.L. Corporation. These kinds of shorts tightly fit theuser's body. Nevertheless, these shorts do not provide enough strengthto hold and support the protective cup over the user's groin region. Inthis type of shorts, gravity and the constant movement by the user maycause the cup to move out of its proper place. In such case, the usermay be injured if he receives a blow to his genitals.

Other kinds of jock support shorts may fit loosely the user's body andrely on straps to hold a protective cup in place. U.S. Pat. Nos.7,757,307 and 7,216,371 describe shorts, which employ straps to supporta protective cup. In these types of shorts, the straps are attached to apocket, which holds the protective cup. These straps suffer from thesame shortcomings as the straps of the jockstrap described above. Thus,during use, the protective cup may move out of its proper position.

In light of the shortcomings of current devices for securing aprotective cup in its proper place, there is a need for a device,apparatus or garment capable of properly securing and holding aprotective device over a wearer's genitals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to athletic garments adapted forsupporting and holding a protective device. An embodiment of theathletic garment includes a main body, a pocket, and a resilient strap.The main body has a waistband. The pocket is dimensioned to removeablyreceive a protective device, such as athletic protective cup, and hasone end attached to a portion of the main body. The resilient strapcouples another end of the pocket to another portion of the main body.

In another embodiment, the athletic garment generally includes a mainbody, a pocket, an elastic resilient strap and at least two elasticmembers. The main body includes a front panel, rear panel, at least twoside panels, and a waistband. The waistband extends along the frontpanel, the rear panel, and the two side panels of the main body. Thepocket is dimensioned to removeably receive an athletic protective cupand has an open end, a closed end and two side portions. The open end ofthe pocket can be attached to an inner portion of the waistband at thefront panel of the main body, or to an inner upper area of the frontpanel of the main body. Alternatively the open end of the pocket can beattached to both locations. The elastic resilient strap couples theclosed end of the pocket to the rear panel of the main body along acentral axis of the rear panel of the main body. The two elastic membersextend along the side portions of the pocket and are extensions of theresilient strap, forming a Y-shaped configuration.

In a further embodiment, the athletic garment generally includes a shortmember, a pocket, and a resilient strap. The short member includes afront panel, rear panel, at least two side panels, and a waistband. Thewaistband extends along the front panel, the rear panel, and the twoside panels of the short member. The pocket is dimensioned to removeablyreceive an athletic protective cup, and has an open end, a closed end,and two side portions. The open end is attached to the waistband at thefront panel of the short member. The resilient strap couples the closedend of the pocket to the rear panel of the short member, and is attachedalong a central axis of the rear panel of the short member.

In yet another embodiment, the athletic garment generally includes amain body with a waistband, an athletic protective cup, and a strap. Theathletic protective cup has a first end and a second end, with the firstend being directly attached to a portion of the main body. The strapcouples the second end of the athletic protective device to a rear panelof the main body.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising: a main body forming an article of wearing apparel; a pocketdimensioned to removeably receive an athletic protective cup, one end ofthe pocket being coupled to one portion of the main body; and a strapcoupling another end of the pocket to another portion of the main body.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising: a short member forming an article of wearing apparelincluding a front portion, rear portion, at least two side portions, anda waistband extending along the front portion, the rear portion, and theat least two side portions; a pocket dimensioned to removeably receivean athletic protective cup and having an open end, a closed end and twoside portions, the open end being coupled to the waistband at the frontportion of the short member; and a strap coupling the closed end of thepocket to the rear portion of the short member, the strap being attachedalong a central axis of the rear portion of the short member.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising: a main body forming an article of wearing apparel includinga front panel, a rear panel, at least two side panels, and a waistbandextending along the front panel, the rear panel, and the at least twoside panels of the main body; a pocket dimensioned to removeably receivean athletic protective cup and having an open end, a closed end and twoside portions, the open end being attached to at least one of a portionof the waistband at the front panel or an inner upper area of the frontpanel of the main body; an elastic strap coupling the closed end of thepocket to the rear panel of the main body along a central axis of therear panel; and at least two elastic members extending along the sideportions of the pocket, wherein at least two elastic members areextensions of the strap, the strap having a Y-shaped configuration.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising: a main body forming an article of wearing apparel; anathletic protective cup having a first end and a second end, the firstend coupled to one portion of the main body; and a strap coupling thesecond end of the athletic protective cup to another portion of the mainbody.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising: a short member forming an article of wearing apparelincluding a front portion, rear portion, at least two side portions, anda waistband extending along the front portion, the rear portion, and theat least two side portions of the short member; an athletic protectivecup having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to atleast one of the front portion or the waistband; and a resilient strapcoupling the second end of the cup to the rear portion.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garmentsystem, comprising: a main body forming an article of wearing apparel; apocket dimensioned to removeably receive an athletic protective cup, thepocket having an open end and a closed end, the open end coupled to oneportion of the main body; a resilient strap coupling the closed end ofthe cup to another portion of the main body; and an athletic protectivecup adapted to be received within the pocket.

In yet still another embodiment, the athletic cup can be used as anincontinent pad during athletic and non-athletic activities. Forexample, the cup can be formed from cellulose type diaper material forliquid absorption. The cup can be replaceably positioned within thesupported pocket of the garment. In another example, the cup can beformed from a soft resilient foam like material into a generallyself-sustaining cup shape. An incontinent pad can be removeably attachedto the cup to be placed either within a pocket or separately attached tothe garment as described above. The incontinent pad can be adhered tothe cup using known adhesives and the like.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garmentcomprising a main body forming an article of wearing apparel, the mainbody having an outer surface and an inner surface; a supporter having afirst end and a second end, the supporter arranged overlying the innersurface of the main body with the first and second ends attached to themain body, whereby a portion of the supporter between the first andsecond ends is unattached to the main body; and at least one firstfastener component attached to the supporter; wherein the at least onefirst fastener component is adapted to be releaseably coupled to asecond fastener component attached to an athletic protective cup,whereby the athletic protective cup is removeably attached to thesupporter.

In yet still another embodiment, there is disclosed an athletic garment,comprising a main body forming an article of wearing apparel, the mainbody including a waistband and a rear panel attached thereto; a pocketdimensioned to removeably receive an athletic protective cup through anopening therein, one end of the pocket being coupled to one portion ofthe main body; and at least first and second straps coupling another endof the pocket to a portion of the rear panel of the main body at spacedapart locations.

An athletic garment comprising a main body forming an article of wearingapparel, the main body having an outer surface and an inner surface; asupporter having a first end and a second end, the supporter arrangedoverlying the inner surface of the main body with the first and secondends coupled to the main body, whereby a portion of the supporterbetween the first and second ends is unattached to the main body; atleast one first fastener component attached to the supporter, whereinthe at least one first fastener component is adapted to be releaseablycoupled to a second fastener component attached to an athleticprotective cup, whereby the athletic protective cup is removeablyattached to the supporter; and a plurality of straps attaching thesecond end of the supporter to the main body at spaced apart locations.

An athletic garment system, comprising a short member forming an articleof wearing apparel including a front portion, rear portion, at least twoside portions, and a waistband extending along the front portion, therear portion, and the at least two side portions of the short member; anathletic protective cup; means for coupling the athletic protective cupto the short member; and a plurality of straps attached to the rearportion of the short member at spaced apart locations and to the meansfor coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for holding adevice for protecting a groin region in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for holding adevice for protecting a groin region in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for holding adevice for protecting a groin region in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an athletic protective cup inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for holding adevice such as an athletic protective cup in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the construction and operation of the fasteningdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for removeablysecuring an athletic protective cup in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an athletic garment for removeablysecuring an athletic protective cup in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a partial perspective view of an athletic garment forremoveably securing an athletic protective cup in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity.However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specificterms so used, and it is to be understood that each specific termincludes all equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplisha similar purpose.

FIG. 1 illustrates an athletic garment 10 such as an article of wearingapparel for holding a device for protecting a user's groin region. Theathletic garment may, for example, hold an athletic protective cup, suchas the cup described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,319,219, 7,712,156 and7,296,307; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2004/0024341 and2008/0201829, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated byreference. The athletic garment 10 may be jock shorts, sports brief orany other garment capable of securing a protective device over thewearer's groin region.

In some embodiments, the athletic garment 10 includes a short member ormain body 12 made of any suitable material, such as fabric which formsan article of wearing apparel. Suitable materials for the main body 12include, but are not limited to, cotton, polyester, the elastane soldunder the trademark LYCRA® by Invista North America S.A.R.L.Corporation, or any combination thereof. For example, the main body 12may be made of a blend of 90% polyester and 10% elastane. In anotherembodiment, the main body 12 may be made of a blend of 90% cotton and10% elastane. Apart from elastane, the main body 12 may be wholly orpartly made of any other suitable stretchable material.

The main body 12 of the athletic garment 10 includes, for example, awaistband 14 defining a waist opening dimensioned to receive a user'swaist, and a plurality of garment forming portions such as at least onefront panel 16, at least one rear panel 20 and at least two sides panels18. Alternatively, the main body 12 may be made of a one-piece (i.e.,monolithic) structure. In such embodiment, the main body 12 may be, forexample, knitted together in a unitary (i.e., indivisible) mannerthereby forming a front portion, a rear portion and at least two sideportions. The waistband 14 may be wholly or partly made of any suitableelastic material to maintain the athletic garment 10 secured against theuser's waist. The waistband 14 is attached to and extends along an upperportion of the front panel 16, the rear panel 20 and the two side panels18.

Each side panel 18 interconnects the front panel 16 and rear panel 20.The front panel 16, the rear panel 20 and the two side panels 18collectively form leg openings 22 and 24. Each leg opening 22 and 24 isdimensioned to receive a user's legs L The waist opening defined by thewaistband 14 is in communication with the leg openings 22 and 24 toallow a user to put on the athletic garment 10.

The main body 12 of the athletic garment 10 further includes a bottomportion 38 disposed between the leg openings 22 and 24. The bottomportion 38 extends between the front panel 16 and rear panel 20.

In addition to the main body 12, the athletic garment 10 includes apouch or pocket 26 positioned over a central inner surface of the frontpanel 16. The pocket 26 has a first open end 28 and a second generallyclosed end 30. The first open end 28 leads to an inner cavity of thepocket 26. The inner cavity and the first open end 28 of the pocket 26are each dimensioned to receive a protective device, such as an athleticprotective cup. The inner cavity of the pocket 26 may be specificallyadapted and dimensioned to hold the athletic protective cup described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,319,219 or those disclosed in the aforementioned patentsand patent publications. In order to hold the athletic protective cupdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,219, the pocket 26 may have asubstantially triangular shape. As such, the width of the pocket 26 maybe greater at its first open end 28 than at its second closed end 30.

Most of the pocket 26 is disposed freely over a central inner surface ofthe front panel 16. Only the first open end 28 and the second closed end30 of the pocket 26 are connected to another portion of the athleticgarment 10. The remaining portions of the pocket 26 are not connected tothe main body 12 of the athletic garment 10. Consequently, the pocket 26may move (to a certain extent) relative to the main body 12 of theathletic garment 10 when worn.

To allow the pocket 26 to move relative to the main body 12, the firstopen end 28 may be attached to an inner portion of the waistband 14and/or an inner upper area of the front panel 16. In some embodiments,the first open end 28 of the pocket 26 is not attached to the frontpanel 16; rather, the first open end 28 is solely attached to an innerportion of the waistband 14. Alternatively, the first open end 28 of thepocket 26 is exclusively attached to an upper inner portion of the frontpanel 16. In a further embodiment, the first open end 28 of the pocket26 is only attached to an inner portion of the waistband 14 and to anupper inner portion of the front panel 16. The pocket may also bereleaseably attached to allow replacement of the pocket should it becomeworn or damaged, or one of a different size to accommodate a smaller orlarger protective cup.

Aside from the first open end 28, the other portion of the pocket 26attached to the main body 12 is the second generally closed end 30 inthe embodiment depicted in the FIG. 1. Other embodiments may nonethelesshave more portions of the pocket 26 attached to the main body 12 of theathletic garment 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a resilient or elongate member 32 may connect thesecond closed end 30 of the pocket 26 to a portion of the rear panel 20.The resilient member 32 may have an elongated shape and may be wholly orpartly made of any suitable elastic or resilient material.Alternatively, member 32 may be wholly or partly made of a non-elasticor non-stretchable material. In one embodiment, the resilient, member 32may be a single monolithic band or strap. Alternatively, the resilientmember 32 may be may be formed by a plurality of discrete resilientelements connected to one another. The color of the resilient member 32may be different from the color of the main body 12 to enhance thevisibility of the resilient member 32. For example, the resilient member32 may be green, while the main body 12 may be white. The resilientmember 32 may also be a different color from the pocket 26.

In some embodiments, the resilient member 32 may be specificallyattached to a bottom inner portion 34 of the rear panel 20. The bottominner portion 34 of the rear panel 20 may be located adjacent the bottomportion 38 and along a central axis C extending along the middle of rearpanel 20, so that a portion of the resilient member 32 extends betweenthe user's legs when in use. The portion of the resilient member 32between the second closed end 30 of the pocket 26 and the bottom innerportion 34 of the rear panel 20 is not attached to any other part of themain body 12 of the athletic garment 10. As a result, the pocket 26 maymove relative to the main body 10 whenever the user plays, twists, turnsor crouches, while the resilient member 32 biases the pocket 26 towardsthe wearer's groin, thereby maintaining the protective cup inside thepocket 26 securely positioned over the user's genitals. In other words,the resilient member 32 biases the pocket 26 toward the user's groin sothat the protective cup inside the pocket 26 is pressed against thepubic bone.

With reference to FIG. 2, the resilient member 32 may further include anextended rear portion 36 attached to the rear panel 20 along centralaxis C. The rear portion 36 may be monolithically formed with the otherportions of the resilient member 32. In certain embodiments, the rearportion 36 of resilient member 32 may be attached to the rear panel 20from the bottom inner portion 34 to an upper edge 40 of the rear panel20 adjacent to the waistband 14 along central axis C. A seam may bedisposed along at least a portion of the central axis C. Accordingly,the rear portion 36 of the resilient member 32 may be connected to aseam of the rear panel 20. In an alternate embodiment, the rear portion36 of the resilient member 32 may not reach the upper edge 40 of therear panel 20. Rather, the rear portion 36 of the resilient member 32only extends to a part of the rear panel 20 spaced apart from thewaistband 14. With reference to FIG. 9 and as an example of such analternate embodiment, the resilient member 32 forms a “Y”-shape with afirst end 41 corresponding to a bottom of the “Y”-shape and directlyattaching to the bottom of the pocket 26. The first end 41 extendstoward the rear panel 20, and the resilient member 32 branches into asecond end 43 corresponding to a top of the “Y”-shape. The second end 43terminates and directly attaches to the rear panel 20 at a firstlocation 45 spaced apart from the waistband 14 and terminates anddirectly attaches to the rear panel 20 at a second location 47 spacedapart from the waistband 14.

In addition to the resilient member 32, the athletic garment 10 mayinclude elastic members 42 extending along the side portions 44 of thepocket 26. Each side portions 44 of the pocket 26 extends generally fromthe first open end 28 to the second closed end 30. The elastic members42 may be extensions of the resilient member 32. In such case, theresilient member 32 has a substantially Y-shaped configuration.Accordingly, the elastic members 42 are monolithically formed with theresilient member 32. Alternatively, the elastic members 42 may bediscrete elements, such as elastic bands, attached to the side portions44 of the pocket 26. As such, the elastic members 42 may be connected tothe resilient member 32 at or near the second closed end 30 of thepocket 26. However, the elastic members 42 may not be connected at allto the resilient member 32.

The elastic members 42 may take many forms. For instance, the elasticmembers 42 may include elastic stitching alongside the side portions 44of the pocket 26. In another embodiment, the elastic members 42 mayinclude elastic elongated elements or bands attached to the sideportions 44 of the pocket 26. These elongated elements or bands may bedisposed inside and/or outside the side portions 44 of the pocket 26. Insome embodiments, the elastic stitching may be combined with theelongated band to form the elastic elements 44. Moreover, the elasticmembers 42 may be monolithically formed with the side portions 44 of thepocket 26. In this case, the side portions 44 themselves are wholly orpartly made of an elastic material. Regardless of their form, theelastic members 42 help maintain the athletic protective cup inside thepocket 26 in the proper position (i.e., over the user's genitals.)

During use, a user may position a protective device, such as an athleticprotective cup, inside the pocket 26 before or after putting on theathletic garment 10. To put on the athletic garment 10, the user maysimply inserting one leg through leg opening 22 and the other legthrough leg opening 24. Then, the user pulls the athletic garment 10towards the head until the waistband 14 is positioned around the waist.The user should make sure that the pocket 26 is placed over thegenitals. At this point, the resilient member 32 should be positionedbetween the user's legs. Since the athletic garment 10 does not havemultiple straps, the user may put it on without much difficulty.

Once the user has properly put on the athletic garment 10, the pocket 26can move relative to the main body 12 as the user moves. Irrespective ofhow the user moves, the resilient member 32 pulls the pocket 26 towardthe groin and therefore keeps the protective device in its properposition (i.e., over the wearer's genitals.) As a result, the user willbe protected from impacts to his genitals since the protective devicewill be positioned over his groin.

In another embodiment, the cup as described can function as anincontinent device. For example, the cup can be formed as aninterchangeable soft cup of absorbent material such as from syntheticpolymers and/or cellulose type diaper material. The cup can be formedinto a self-sustaining cup shape such as by molding to be inserted intothe pocket 26. Such a cup would likely be disposable. The cup can alsobe formed as a soft cup from thermoplastic elastomers, e.g.,polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene, vinyl acetate andthe like. A soft absorbent material such as noted above can bereleaseably attached to the soft cup to be inserted into the pocket 26.The soft two piece cup can be reuseable or disposable. It is alsocontemplated that an absorbent pad in general can be sized and shaped tobe removeably inserted into the pocket 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of an athletic garment 10 forholding a device for protecting a user's groin region. In thisillustrative embodiment, the short member or main body 12 includes a cup50, such as the cup described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,219, attached to orotherwise coupled to the main body 12 without any required pocket orpouch. The cup 50 has a lower portion 52 and an upper portion 54. Thelower portion 52 of the cup 50 may be removeably attached to theresilient member 32. This may be accomplished, for example, by usingVELCRO® (i.e., a type of hook-and-loop fastener), snaps, hooks or otherreleasable type fasteners. Alternatively, the lower portion 52 of cup 50may be non-removeably attached to resilient member 32. This may beaccomplished, for example, by stitching, bonding, mechanically fasteningand the like the lower portion 52 of cup 50 to the resilient member 32.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the lower portion 52 ofthe cup may be provided with an extension 60. The extension may be inthe form of a flat or planar member of suitable dimensions. Theextension 60 may be formed integral as one piece with the cup 50. Theextension may also be formed as a separate member attached to the cup 50such as by stitching, bonding, mechanical fastening and the like. Theextension can be made from various material, such as polymer flexiblesheets, soft elastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers) syntheticand natural fabrics, and the like. The extension can be removeably orfixedly attached to the resiliant member 32 in the manner as previouslydescribed with respect to the cup 50. The resiliant member 32 may beattached to the cup 50 along its longitudinal axis, which willpreferably be coincident with the central axis of the rear portion orpanel of the athletic garment 10.

The upper portion 54 of cup 50 as shown in FIG. 3 may similarly beremoveably or non-removeably attached to the main body 12. The site ofattachment of the top portion 54 of cup 50 to the main body 12 may be,for example, at the inner side of a front portion of waistband 14 or atan inner upper portion of the front panel 16 spaced away from thewaistband 14. The upper portion 54 of cup 50 may be stitched, bonded orotherwise attached directly to an inner upper portion of the front panel16.

Alternatively as shown in FIG. 4, an extension 62 to the upper portion54 of cup 50 may be provided, the extension being removeably ornon-removeably attached to either an inner upper portion of the frontpanel 16 or to the inner side of a front portion of waistband 14, forexample by stitching or VELCRO®, or by other fastening means. Theextension 62 may be formed and constructed in a similar manner asextension 60 previously described. These methods of attachments as thusfar described are illustrative only, and one skilled in the art wouldrecognize that any secure removable or non-removable method of attachingthe cup 50 to the main body 12 is within the scope of this invention.

The cup 50 as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 can also beconstructed to function as an incontinent device as previouslydescribed. In this regard, the cup can be formed as an interchangeablesoft cup of absorbent material or as a soft cup from thermoplasticelastomers with an adhered absorbent material. The incontinent cup canbe fixedly or releaseably attached to the garment in the manner as thusfar described in any of the above embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there will be described the construction of afastening device for releaseably securing a cup 50 to the garment 10 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Anextension 70 is attached to the lower end 52 of the cup 50, while a pairof spaced apart extensions 72, 74 are attached to the upper portion 54of the cup. Each of the extensions 70, 72, 74 can be constructed in thenature of, for example, elongated straps formed from soft elasticmaterial such as molded thermoplastic elastomers of the typehereinbefore described. The extensions 70, 72, 74 can be integrallymolded with the cup 50 or formed separately therefrom and attachedthereto by any suitable means such as thermal bonding, stitching,mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding and the like. Extensions 72, 74can be formed as a single extension such as the single extension 62shown in FIG. 4.

The free end of each extension 70, 72, 74 supports a male snap head 76which may be separately or integrally formed with each of the extensionsby molding from, for example, the aforementioned polymers includingthermoplastic elastomers. As best shown in FIG. 6B, each of the snapheads 76 include an enlarged head 78 forming an undercut 80. In thepreferred embodiment, the head 78 is circular in nature, thereby forminga circular undercut 80 circumscribing the head. Although the head 78 hasbeen described as circular, other shapes such as oval, polygon, squareand the like can be suitably used.

Each of the snap heads 76 releaseably engage a female component 82. Asbest shown in FIG. 6A, the female components 82 are constructed from arear panel 84 and an attached overlying front panel 86 having a u-shapedopening 88. The peripheral edges of the rear and front panels 84, 86 aresecured to each other to form an integral unit. In the preferredembodiment, the female component 82 is formed from soft thermoplasticelastomeric material such as by molding and the like. In this regard,the rear panel 84 and overlying front panel 86 can be integrally formedwith one another in a single molding process. Otherwise, the rear paneland overlying front panel can be bonded peripherally to each other suchas by stitching, adhesive bonding, thermal bonding and the like. Theu-shape opening 88 has an enlarged entrance opening, slightly taperingto the opening's closed end 90. The width of the closed end 90 isapproximately the same as that of the undercut 80 in the snap heads 76.

The female components 82 are secured to the garment 10 at theirappropriate location for alignment with the corresponding snap heads 76for proper placement and positioning of the cup 50. For example as shownin FIG. 5, a pair of spaced apart female components 82 may be adhered toa region of the garment 10 proximate the waist band 14 and anotherfemale component proximate to the resilient member 32. It is alsocontemplated that the female component 82 can be secured directly to thefree end of the resilient member 32, as opposed to being attacheddirectly to the garment 10. The female components 82, in accordance withthe preferred embodiment, can be stitched about their peripheral edge 92which provides a stitching area for adhering the female component to thegarment 10.

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, the snap head 76 can be removeably attached tothe female component 82 in a simple manipulation of the snap head. Inthis regard, the head 76 is initially positioned within the u-shapedopening 88, with the edges thereof in alignment with the undercut 80. Asthe snap head 76 is slid or displaced along the length of the opening88, the narrowing of the opening causes the edges thereof to be receivedwithin the undercut 80 of head 78 as the head approaches the closed end90. In this position, the snap head 76 is firmly releaseably engaged bythe female component 82. This engagement can be easily accomplished bythe user's manipulation with one's fingers either directly with the snapheads 76 or by pulling on each of the extensions 70, 72, 74. The snaphead 76 can be released from the female components 82 in a reversemotion from that previously described.

The snap head 76 and female components 82 as thus far described can alsobe used in the aforementioned embodiments with respect to the use of thepresent invention with an incontinent pad. For example, the extensions70, 72, 74 can be integrally formed with the soft resilient foam likematerial forming the incontinent pad receiving cup. The free end of eachextension will be provided with a male snap head 76, either integrallyformed therewith or attached thereto. The snap head 76 can be replacedby any other suitable type fastener, such as hooks, VELCRO® typefasteners, snaps, eyelets, catches and the like.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is disclosed another embodiment of thepresent invention. The garment 10 is provided with a supporter 94instead of the pocket 26 as thus far described. The supporter can beformed from single or multiple layers or panels of fabric of othermaterial which function to provide anatomical support as is typical ofjock straps. The supporter may be sewn or otherwise attached to thegarment in the manner as previously described with respect to the pocket26. By way of example, the upper portion of the supporter 94 may be sewnto the garment at or adjacent to the waistband 14. The other end of thesupporter 94 can be attached to the resilient member 32 as thus fardescribed.

A cup 50 can be releaseably attached to the supporter 94 using anysuitable releasable fastener. By way of example, fasteners 96 in thenature of female/male snaps 96. The snaps 96 may be of the well-knowngarment type, or any other suitable type fastener, such as hooks,VELCRO® type fasteners, eyelets, catches, etc. In addition, it iscontemplated the use of the snap head 76 in combination with femalecomponent 82 as described with respect to FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B. The matingfemale/male components of the snaps 96 are respectively attached to thesupporter 96 and to the cup 50. With respect to the supporter 94, thesnaps 96 may be sewn into the supporter facing the wearer. With respectto the cup 50, the snaps 96 can be formed into the outer surface of thecup or otherwise attached thereto by any suitable well-knownmanufacturing techniques.

In use, the wearer can easily attach the cup 50 to the supporter 94using the plurality of releasable snaps 96. The cup can be easilyremoved whereby the garment 10 can be laundered or for cup replacementif required in the case of the cup being damaged or worn.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is disclosed another embodiment of thepresent invention. The garment 10 is provided with a supporter 94 asdescribed with respect to FIG. 7, instead of a pocket 26. As previouslydescribed, one end of the supporter 94 is attached to a portion of therear panel 20 of the garment by an elongated member. An athleticprotective cup 50 can be releasably attached to the supporter 94 usingany suitable releasable fastener.

To enhance maintaining the position of the supporter 94 and the attachedcup 50 in the appropriate location within the garment 10, a plurality ofelongated members in the form of elongated straps 32 may be used. Asshown, a pair of straps 32 have one free end attached to the free end ofthe supporter 94 which may be along its longitudinal axis. The otherfree ends of the straps 32 are attached to a portion of the rear panel20 at spaced apart locations below the waistband 14. For example, thestraps 32 may be secured to the rear panel 20 at a location between thebottom of the rear panel and a location of the rear panel spaced fromthe waistband 14. The straps 32 form an angle 98 therebetween which maybe an acute angle, by way of one example less than 45 degrees. By virtueof the acute angle 98, the straps 32 will be positioned between a user'slegs when the garment 10 is worn. As such, it is not required that auser position one leg between the straps.

In one embodiment, the straps may be attached by permanently affixingthe straps to the free end of the supporter 94 such as by stitching,adhesive bonding and the like. The free ends of the straps 32 may beattached together, and then attached to the free end of the supporter 94as a unitary member, or separately attached thereto using any suitableattachment means. In other embodiments, the straps 32 may be releasablyattached to the supporter 94 using any suitable releasable typefastener, such as fasteners 96 (see FIG. 7) or the combination of a snaphead 76 and female component 82 (see FIG. 5). Likewise, the other endsof the straps 32 may be permanently or releasably attached to the rearpanel 20 of the garment 10 using any such means, such as permanentlystitching, adhesive bonding or releasable type fasteners and the like.

The use of two elongated straps 32 has thus far been described withrespect to the embodiment of FIG. 8. However, it is to be understoodthat the use of a plurality of straps including two or more straps canalso be incorporated into the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiments with respect topocket 26, coupled to the cup 50 as in the FIGS. 3-6 embodiments, aswell as any other embodiments as thus far described in the pendingapplication. In addition, although the present embodiment of FIG. 8 hasbeen described with respect to two elongated straps 32, is contemplatedthat a greater number of straps may be incorporated for attaching thefree end of the supporter 94, pocket 26 or cup 50 to the rear panel 20of the garment 10. In addition, the straps 32 may be resilient in natureby possessing elastic properties thereby stretching upon movement of thewearer of the garment 10, or alternately, not being resilient andstretchable.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and thefeatures set forth therein can be combined in different ways thanpresented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that thefeatures described in connection with individual embodiments may beshared with others of the described embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic garment comprising: an upper portionhaving a front and a rear, a first side and a second side, an interiorand an exterior, and a waistband, the upper portion being configured toreceive a waist of a user; a first leg portion extending downwardly fromthe upper portion and configured to receive a first leg of the user; asecond leg portion extending downwardly from the upper portion andconfigured to receive a second leg of the user; a pocket disposed in theinterior of the upper portion, the pocket having a first side, a secondside, a top, and a bottom, and narrowing in width from the top to thebottom, the first and second sides of the pocket being partially securedto the front of the upper portion within the interior of the upperportion such that the bottom of the pocket is freely suspended from thefront of the upper portion; and an elongated member extending from thebottom of the pocket to the rear of the upper portion, wherein theelongated member forms a “Y”-shape with a first end of the elongatedmember corresponding to a bottom of the “Y”-shape, the first end of theelongated member directly attaching to the bottom of the pocket andextending therefrom toward the rear of the upper portion, and theelongated member branching into a second end corresponding to a top ofthe “Y”-shape, the second end terminating and directly attaching to therear of the upper portion at a first location spaced apart from thewaistband and terminating and directly attaching to the rear of theupper portion at a second location spaced apart from the waistband. 2.The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket defines an openingnear the top of the pocket, and the pocket is sized to receive anathletic protective cup.
 3. An athletic garment comprising: an upperportion having a front and a rear, a first side and a second side, andan interior and an exterior, and a waistband, the upper portion beingconfigured to receive a waist of a user; a first leg portion extendingdownwardly from the upper portion and configured to receive a first legof the user; a second leg portion extending downwardly from the upperportion and configured to receive a second leg of the user; a pocketdisposed in the interior of the upper portion, the pocket having a firstside, a second side, a top, and a bottom, and narrowing in width fromthe top to the bottom, the first and second sides of the pocket beingpartially secured to the front of the upper portion within the interiorof the upper portion such that the bottom of the pocket is freelysuspended from the front of the upper portion; and an elongated memberextending from the bottom of the pocket to the rear of the upperportion, wherein the elongated member forms a “Y”-shape with a first endof the elongated member corresponding to a lower leg of the “Y”-shape,the first end of the elongated member directly attaching to the bottomof the pocket, a second end of the elongated member corresponding to afirst upper arm of the “Y”-shape, the second end of the elongated memberdirectly attaching to the rear of the upper portion at a first locationspaced apart from the waistband, and a third end of the elongated membercorresponding to a second upper arm of the “Y”-shape, the third end ofthe elongated member directly attaching to the rear of the upper portionat a second location spaced apart from the waistband.